In an attempt to contain the new variants of Covid-19, Shanghai's government has restricted 25 million people to their apartments in a harsh lockdown since March 28. The lockdown has shut down businesses, idled ports, and caused serious disruption of daily food supplies, making some people go hunry. Those with long term ailments suffer from lack of care, which is critical in some cases. Anxiety level has reached a new high level as people are tired of forced daily tests but do not see the end of lockdown.

The chairman of EU Chamber of Commerce in China, Jörg Wuttke, who is also Chief Representative of BASF China, wrote a letter to a China's Vice Premier Hu Chun Hua, calling for an alternative to the forced lockdown, which has severely affected 92% of 1,800 EU businesses operating in China. About 60% of intereviewed EU businesses will lower their revenue forecast for the year. 

China's April Service Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) plunged to 36.2, a record low since February 2020, according to Chinese Statistics Bureau. 



What is the strategy of Xi government in dealing with this crisis? What will the Chinese government do next?


In his speech at the Politburo meeting held on May 5, 2022, CCP General Secretary Xi Jin Ping insisted on unswervingly carrying out his zero-Covid policy, which calls for 'dynamic zero' or eliminating the coronavirus in society. 
 
Read his words carefully, people will be able to gain an insight into the way Xi thinks and how he will use his position as general secretary of the party to deal with the renewed Covid-19 resurgence in China. 

His words are: We must 'Resolutely struggle against all words and actions that distort, suspect and deny our country's success in containing the Covid-19 virus. ... This is determined by our party's nature and purpose. Our policy stands up to history's test and is in line with the science. ... All levels of party branches, government officials and people in society must unify their thinking and actions according to the strategic decision made by the Party Central Committee. We must consciously to be highly consistent with the Party’s Central Committee. ...'





These words reveal Xi's understanding of the Covid-19 and his way of dealing with its resurgence in China. First, he takes pride that Covid-19 was contained successfully through the harsh lockdown of people in Wuhan city, a city of 11 million population.  It made China stand out from democratic countries, which to Xi became chaotic and were at a loss in dealing with the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus in February 2020. He feels that the success of Wuhan has stood up to the test of time and people must not forget about it. 

Second, Xi likes to compare the campaign to contain the Covid-19 to fighting a physical war, much like the war Putin has been waging in Ukraine. The strategy of winning this war is determined by the 'nature and purpose' of the party, which he as general secretary leads through its Central Committee.  

Third, Xi calls on everybody to think like he does - party members, officials or regular citizens must 'unify their thinking and actions according to the strategic decision made by the Party Central Committee', which is dominated by Xi himself. Of course, whatever the Chinese Communist Party does, it is always great, glorious and correct. So it is in line with science. 
 
It is useful to remember what Mao Ze Dong said of the nature and purpose of the CCP. It is a revolution. It is a struggle. It is a violent action in which one class overthrows another class. It is not at all like going to dinner parties. It is not at all gentle or respectful. 

By referencing to the CCP's nature and purpose when dictating the zero-Covid policy as a way to contain the virus, Xi indeed sees himself as the commander-in-chief in fighting a war, no matter the coronavirus is invisible and highly contagious.